AI-Literate Contract Manager and Legal Negotiator
Resume:
STEVEN M. MWENDIA
Richmond, Texas (Houston Metro)
*************@*****.***
Contract Manager Commercial Negotiations Cross-Functional Stakeholder Partnership Legal Operations
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Tech-forward, AI-literate, strategic, and highly collaborative Contract Manager with more than six years of experience
drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements with minimal supervision. Proven ability to identify
legal and business risks early, recommend mitigation strategies, and ensure alignment with company policies and
regulatory requirements. Skilled owning the contract lifecycle from intake through execution in fast-moving, high-growth
environments where priorities evolve quickly. Experienced building trusted relationships with cross-functional teams
including Procurement, IT, Finance, HR, and Operations to align contracting strategies with operational and financial
objectives. Demonstrated ability to guide stakeholders toward balanced, pragmatic decisions while maintaining appropriate
governance. Strong background developing and refining contracting workflows, templates, and best practices that support
long-term organizational growth. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with proven
capability to influence stakeholders without direct authority. Highly organized with strong attention to detail, growth
mindset, and interest in expanding legal and commercial expertise. Proficient in MS365 and similar workflow tools.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Complex Commercial Agreement Drafting, Review and Negotiation, Supply Agreements, Services Contracts, Capital
Equipment Agreements, Technology Contracts, Partnership Contracts, Legal and Business Risk Identification and Mitigation,
Regulatory Compliance and Company Policy Alignment, Full Contract Lifecycle Ownership (Intake Through Execution),
Cross-Functional Partnership (Procurement, IT, Finance, HR, Manufacturing, Operations), Stakeholder Influence Without
Direct Authority, Contracting Workflow and Template Development, Process Scalability and Best Practice Refinement,
Business and Legal Communication Bridge, Mission-Critical Deal Support and Tracking, AI-Enabled Legal Operations, MS365
and Workflow Tools Proficiency, Multiple Priority Management, Independent Operation in Fast-Paced Environment,
Solutions-Oriented Risk Decision-Making
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Contracts Analyst
Engineering and Construction Company
2025 (Contract Assignment, Houston, Texas)
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated complex commercial agreements including supply, services, capital equipment, and
vendor contracts supporting large-scale operational infrastructure projects
- Identified legal and business risks early in contract review, recommended mitigation strategies, and ensured
alignment with company policies and regulatory requirements
- Owned contract lifecycle from intake through execution in a fast-moving operational environment with evolving
priorities, partnering with Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and Engineering stakeholders
- Guided internal stakeholders toward balanced, pragmatic contracting decisions while maintaining appropriate
governance and escalating issues appropriately to legal counsel
- Developed and refined contract templates and workflows supporting scalable contracting processes in a complex
operational environment
- Tracked and managed negotiations tied to supply, infrastructure, and operational partnerships ensuring timely
execution and business continuity
Legal Advisor / Contract Manager
MM LLP
February 2023 to October 2025
- Led drafting, review, and negotiation of complex commercial agreements including services, technology, and
partnership contracts with minimal supervision reporting to senior legal counsel
- Identified legal and business risks proactively, recommended practical mitigation paths forward, and ensured
alignment with company policies and regulatory requirements
- Provided responsive, strategic contract support from intake through execution in a high-growth environment where
priorities evolved quickly
- Built trusted relationships with cross-functional teams including Procurement, IT, Finance, HR, and Operations to align
contracting strategies with operational and financial objectives
- Influenced stakeholders toward balanced, pragmatic decisions while maintaining appropriate governance throughout
the contracting process
- Developed and refined contracting workflows, templates, and best practices supporting the organization's long-term
growth and scalability
- Translated business needs into contractual terms ensuring clear communication between internal teams and Legal
leadership
- Leveraged AI-enabled legal tools and MS365 to improve contracting efficiency and consistency reducing cycle time by
30 percent
- Managed multiple complex negotiations simultaneously with strong attention to detail and independent operation in
fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated solutions-oriented mindset consistently finding practical paths forward that balanced speed, risk, and
operational priorities
Associate / Contract Specialist
MK Law and Attorneys
July 2022 to January 2023
- Drafted and negotiated commercial contracts including services, technology, and vendor agreements with cross-
functional stakeholder collaboration
- Identified contractual risks and recommended mitigation strategies while ensuring regulatory compliance and
company policy alignment
- Maintained contract templates, workflows, and tracking systems supporting efficient and scalable contracting
operations
Legal Intern
Wangui Kathryn Attorneys
June 2021 to May 2022
- Assisted with commercial contract drafting and negotiation support under attorney supervision
- Supported development of contract templates and process documentation contributing to contracting efficiency
EDUCATION
Postgraduate Diploma in Law
Kenya School of Law
Nairobi, Kenya
2019 to 2021
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Four-Year Law Degree, J.D. Equivalent
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
2014 to 2018
BAR ADMISSION AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Kenya and East Africa - Active Bar Membership (Licensed Attorney)
- Privacy Law and Data Protection - University of Pennsylvania
- Data Protection Certificate - Strathmore University, 2022
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration) - Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), 2022
TECHNICAL SKILLS
MS365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Smartsheet and Similar Workflow Tools, AI-Enabled Legal Tools,
Contract Management Systems, Document Management Systems, Legal Research Platforms
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